ACFL Division 1

Ahoghill 1-8 St. Gall’s 4-18

St. Gall’s completed their division 1 campaign with a convincing away win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in Cloney on Wednesday night. Despite being out of contention for a top four spot the Milltown Row side appear to be in championship preparation as they turned on the style to condemn St. Mary’s to bottom spot in the tables.

It was all but over by half time as first half goals from Gerard O’Neill and a Niall Burns double propelled the visitors to a 3-10 to 0-6 lead as Mark O’Neill blew his half time whistle.

Burns was in sparkling form for St. Gall’s and added two points to his first half total with Ethan Walsh 0-4, Gerard O’Neill, Colm Walsh and Liam O’Loan all on target for the Milltown side.

St. Mary’s kept going but there was an inevitability about the result and much of their recent fight for survival appeared to be missing as Dan O’Neill, Donal Graham, James O’Connell 0-2 and Neil O’Connell 0-2 responding in kind to the St. Gall’s onslaught.

It didn’t get much better for the home side after the break and they would add only two second half points through Colla McDonnell and James O’Connell while the visitors continued to score freely throughout the second half.

Once again it was Antrim county man, Niall Burns who led the way and he would add a further 0-4 to his personal tally to bring his contribution for the evening to 2-6.

Ethan Walsh and Liam O’Loan added to their first half total while a couple of substitutes got in on the scoring act as St. Gall’s emptied their bench.

Ahoghill will have a last opportunity to secure their division 1 status in the bottom 4 play-offs but they are likely to have one eye on the Intermediate Hurling championship where quite a number of those on duty on Wednesday night will again be in action.

St. Gall’s put a run of poor results behind them with this excellent victory and they could be running into form just at the right time for the forthcoming championship and will fancy their chances of giving it a rattle.